The French girl fashion item that will always be in style
There’s no denying we have a thing for French girl-inspired style – and now we’re not talking about Emily in Paris. From their minimalistic make-up to their effortlessly cool haircuts, there’s no denying that the French-girl style has that je ne sais quoi that can’t be put into words.
And one of the pieces that every French girl has in her closet? The marinière, the Breton stripe shirt, the navy stripe shirt – call it what you want, it’s undoubtedly a staple and icon of French fashion. Even though it has been around since 1838, it is still just as relevant and fashionable in 2023.
Here are some of our favorite marinière looks and how you can copy the effortlessly chic French girl style.
There’s a reason that the striped shirt is a timeless piece. It literally goes with everything. It’s the perfect layering piece and can be worn underneath a leather jacket or a cool maxi skirt – immediately adding a little extra something to every outfit.
-40%
Frankie Shop
Hester jacket Brown
$237.00
$395.00
Mytheresa
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-30%
Frankie Shop
Hope jacket Beige
$322.00
$460.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Buttoned flap faux-suede jacket Brown
$185.00
Simons
-85%
Greg Lauren
Jackets Beige
$291.00
$1,991.00
Yoox
Twik
Womens Faux-suede loose jacket Grey
$185.00
Simons
-35%
Woolrich
Cotton Shirt Jacket Beige
$301.00
$466.00
Balardi
Soaked In Luxury
Womens Maeve leather jacket Black
$299.00
Simons
Anne Laurie Mais is a French fashion influencer who is based between Paris and the south of France – she also has her own lable, Musier Paris. So it’s easy to say she knows a thing or two about French girl fashion. Exhibit A: this beautiful outfit complete with neckerchief, mini cargo skirt, and of course Miu Miu ballet flats.
-30%
Tod's
Velvet Mary Jane flats Red
$609.00
$870.00
Mytheresa
Aquazzura
Bow Tie suede ballet flats Black
$1,100.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Victoria Beckham
Leather slingback flats Red
$729.00
$1,215.00
Mytheresa
-30%
A.Emery
Park embroidered leather ballet flats Beige
$245.00
$350.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Ferragamo
Varina patent leather ballet flats Black
$665.00
$950.00
Mytheresa
Valentino Garavani
Rockstud leather ballet flats Brown
$1,160.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Tory Burch
Double T leather ballet flats White
$350.00
$500.00
Mytheresa
-60%
Amina Muaddi
Ane Crystal lace-up velvet ballet flats Black
$684.00
$1,710.00
Mytheresa
French influencer Emmanuelle Koffi shows us how it’s done with this Breton inspired cardigan from Celine, paired with dark wash jeans and a sunny, straw tote bag. It’s the perfect transitional piece for those summer nights when it’s still a bit chilly.
Ibeliv
Tokio Datea Wovon Tote Bag Brown
$211.00
Eraldo
-49%
Simons
Womens Knotted tubular handle braided-straw bag White
$29.95
$59.00
Simons
-32%
Simons
Womens XL braided straw tassel-charm tote bag White
$39.95
$59.00
Simons
-62%
Simons
Womens Folded corner braided straw hobo bag Yellow
$29.95
$79.00
Simons
-49%
Simons
Womens Knotted tubular handle braided-straw bag Brown
$29.95
$59.00
Simons
-37%
Simons
Womens Rounded woven straw hobo bag Yellow
$49.95
$79.00
Simons
Simons
Womens Crocheted straw tote bag White
$79.00
Simons
-32%
Simons
Womens XL braided straw tassel-charm tote bag Brown
$39.95
$59.00
Simons
If you’re ever looking for French girl fashion – just head over to the Parisians in Paris Instagram account. You can get your daily dose of fashion inspo straight from the streets of Paris. The feed is filled with baguettes, berets, and of course Breton stripe shirts just like this one.
-30%
Veronica Beard
Shana striped cashmere sweater Blue
$354.00
$505.00
Mytheresa
-50%
Jean Paul Gaultier
Cutout sweater Red
$473.00
$945.00
Mytheresa
Veronica Beard
Kamal striped polo sweater Blue
$430.00
Mytheresa
If you think that the marinière is an exclusively holiday or weekend garment, you are very wrong. Here, Marlies Pia Pfeifhofer styled her striped sweater with a pair of beige slacks, Adidas Sambas, and a black Prada hobo bag – it can become the key piece to make even the most basic outfit look cool. Why not try it with Bermuda shorts, a midi skirt , mules or flats ?
AlexaChung
Striped crochet-knit cotton cardigan - White - L
$345.00
The Outnet
Majestic Filatures
T-shirts Blue
$254.00
Yoox.com
Ralph Lauren
T-shirts White
$90.00
Yoox.com
Frame Denim
Striped ribbed-knit cardigan - White - XS
$444.00
The Outnet
Vince
Striped jersey top - Green - XL
$145.00
The Outnet
Sporty & Rich
Womens Vendome Breton Striped Cotton Top - Stripe - XL - Moda Operandi
$110.00
Moda Operandi
The marinière also comes in so many variations – not just the classic white and blue model. It has been revisited in many different ways over the years. Starting with the colors, which feature super hot variants: ranging from red stripes on a white background to white ones on a blue background, up to multicolor and black & white striped T-shirt models.
The fit has also been renewed , with short-sleeved, cropped and off-shoulder tops, as well as the classic long-sleeved marinière. Excuse us now while we make French girl fashion our new personality. Au revoir, ma chérie!
-20%
Ami
Striped cotton jersey T-shirt Blue
$256.00
$320.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Majestic Filatures
Striped T-shirt White
$164.00
$205.00
Eraldo
-20%
Velvet
Brenda striped cotton-blend T-shirt Blue
$184.00
$230.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Frame Denim
Striped cotton jersey T-shirt Red
$158.00
$225.00
Mytheresa
Polo Ralph Lauren
T Shirts And Polos Pink
$185.00
Balardi
-20%
Velvet
Foster striped cotton jersey T-shirt White
$180.00
$225.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Aragona
Striped T-shirt Red
$109.00
$156.00
Eraldo
Nili Lotan
Mariela striped cotton jersey T-shirt Black
$320.00
Mytheresa
-30%
J.W.Anderson
Striped cotton jersey T-shirt White
$238.00
$340.00
Mytheresa